French military warns about 'extremely concerning' activities of Russia
Chief of the French General Staff Thierry Burkhard spoke at a press conference, during which he called Russia's activities underwater and in space 'extremely concerning' and identified Moscow as a 'constant threat'.
'Russian submarines regularly enter the North Atlantic, and then sometimes dive into the Mediterranean Sea to monitor areas that are important for France,' said Burkhard.
According to information from Politico, the French general also emphasized that Russian satellites are used for spying or interference in French equipment. In addition, he noted signs of a desire to militarize space with specialized satellites.
Global threats to France
The French general also highlighted tensions in various parts of the world, including the Middle East, which complicate the situation for French troops. He emphasized that uncontrolled use of force and habituation to violence have become global problems.
Avoiding a direct call to increase military spending, Burkhard noted that finding optimal ways to counter these challenges 'will likely be costly.'
France plans to increase its military budget to 67.4 billion euros by 2030 from the current 50.5 billion euros for this year.
During the press conference, General Thierry Burkhard emphasized the extremely concerning nature of Russia's activities both underwater and in space. He also noted the global threats to France arising from various regions of the world and pointed out the need for changes in the approach to security and defense. France plans to increase military spending to ensure its security in the face of growing threats.